The New Zealand falcon, known as the kārearea, has won New Zealand's annual Bird of the Year competition, securing 21% of the votes. This high-speed hunter, capable of reaching 200km/h, is an endangered species with only an estimated 5,000 to 8,000 birds remaining.

• A record-breaking 75,000 votes were cast in this year's competition, which highlights endangered native species.
• The competition was organized by the conservation group Forest & Bird, with chief executive Nicola Toki emphasizing the serious message behind the event.
• The kārearea will be the subject of a new waiata (Māori language song), and its victory highlights the plight of other critically endangered birds like the kākāpō and karure black robin, which have fewer than 300 birds each remaining.